Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

According to one embodiment, an optical wiring cable including a first
optical interconnection paths, a first optical transmission unit
incorporated in a first connector, and configured to transmit an optical
signal to the first optical interconnection paths, a first optical
reception unit incorporated in a second connector, and configured to
receive an optical signal from the first optical interconnection paths, a
second optical interconnection paths, a second optical transmission unit
incorporated in the second connector, and configured to transmit an
optical signal to the second optical interconnection paths, a second
optical reception unit incorporated in the first connector, and
configured to receive an optical signal from the second optical
interconnection paths, and a control unit configured to detect a
combination of electronic apparatuses to which the first and the second
connector are to be connected, and control power supply to the optical
transmission units and the optical reception units.

Claims:

1. An optical wiring cable configured to convert an electrical signal
into an optical signal, and transmit the converted optical signal,
comprising: a single or a plurality of first optical interconnection
paths configured to transmit an optical signal in a first direction; a
first optical transmission unit incorporated in a first connector, and
configured to transmit an optical signal to the first optical
interconnection paths; a first optical reception unit incorporated in a
second connector, and configured to receive an optical signal from the
first optical interconnection paths; a single or a plurality of second
optical interconnection paths configured to transmit an optical signal in
a direction reverse to the first direction; a second optical transmission
unit incorporated in the second connector, and configured to transmit an
optical signal to the second optical interconnection paths; a second
optical reception unit incorporated in the first connector, and
configured to receive an optical signal from the second optical
interconnection paths; and a control unit configured to detect a
combination of electronic apparatuses to which the first connector and
the second connector are to be connected, and control power supply to the
first and second optical transmission units, and the first and second
optical reception units in accordance with the detected combination,
wherein when the combination corresponds to one of three operation modes
including a first operation mode which is signal transmission from the
first connector to the second connector, a second operation mode which is
signal transmission from the second connector to the first connector, and
a third operation mode which is bidirectional signal transmission between
the first connector and the second connector, the control unit carries
out power supply to a combination of units which are selected from the
first optical transmission unit, the first optical reception unit, the
second optical transmission unit, and the second optical reception unit
in accordance with one of the first to third operation modes, and stops
power supply to remaining units, and when the combination corresponds to
none of the three operation modes, the control unit stops power supply to
the first optical transmission unit, the first optical reception unit,
the second optical transmission unit, and the second optical reception
unit.

2. The cable according to claim 1, wherein in the first connector,
electrical input terminals of the first optical transmission unit and
electrical output terminals of the second optical reception unit are
provided independently of each other, and in the second connector,
electrical output terminals of the first optical reception unit and
electrical input terminals of the second optical transmission unit are
provided independently of each other.

3. The cable according to claim 2, wherein the control unit comprises
detection circuits configured to detect connection of an electronic
apparatus to the terminals of each of the first optical transmission
unit, the first optical reception unit, the second optical transmission
unit, and the second optical reception unit, and switch circuits
configured to turn on/off power supply to the first optical transmission
unit, the first optical reception unit, the second optical transmission
unit, and the second optical reception unit.

4. The cable according to claim 3, wherein when it is detected by the
detection circuits of the first optical transmission unit and the first
optical reception unit that the first optical transmission unit has been
connected to a signal transmission apparatus, and the first optical
reception unit has been connected to a signal reception apparatus, the
switch circuit of each of the first optical transmission unit and the
first optical reception unit is turned on, and when it is detected by the
detection circuits of the second optical transmission unit and the second
optical reception unit that the second optical transmission unit has been
connected to a signal transmission apparatus, and the second optical
reception unit has been connected to a signal reception apparatus, the
switch circuit of each of the second optical transmission unit and the
second optical reception unit is turned on.

5. The cable according to claim 3, wherein when a combination of results
of detection carried out by the detection circuits corresponds to the
first operation mode, the switch circuit of each of the first optical
transmission unit and the first optical reception unit is turned on, and
the switch circuit of each of the second optical transmission unit and
the second optical reception unit is turned off, when the combination of
results of detection carried out by the detection circuits corresponds to
the second operation mode, the switch circuit of each of the second
optical transmission unit and the second optical reception unit is turned
on, and the switch circuit of each of the first optical transmission unit
and the first optical reception unit is turned off, and when the
combination of results of detection carried out by the detection circuits
corresponds to the third operation mode, the switch circuit of each of
the first optical transmission unit, the first optical reception unit,
the second optical transmission unit, and the second optical reception
unit is turned on.

6. The cable according to claim 1, wherein in the first connector,
electrical input terminals of the first optical transmission unit and
electrical output terminals of the second optical reception unit are
provided independently of each other, and in the second connector,
electrical output terminals of the first optical reception unit and
electrical input terminals of the second optical transmission unit are
provided independently of each other, the control unit comprises a
detection circuit provided in each of the first optical transmission
unit, the first optical reception unit, the second optical transmission
unit, and the second optical reception unit, and configured to detect
connection of an electronic apparatus to the terminals of each unit, and
a power supply circuit provided in each of the first optical transmission
unit, the first optical reception unit, the second optical transmission
unit, and the second optical reception unit, when it is detected by the
detection circuits of the first optical transmission unit and the first
optical reception unit that the first optical transmission unit has been
connected to a signal transmission apparatus, and the first optical
reception unit has been connected to a signal reception apparatus, the
power supply circuit of each of the first optical transmission unit and
the first optical reception unit is operated, and when it is detected by
the detection circuits of the second optical transmission unit and the
second optical reception unit that the second optical transmission unit
has been connected to a signal transmission apparatus, and the second
optical reception unit has been connected to a signal reception
apparatus, the power supply circuit of each of the second optical
transmission unit and the second optical reception unit is operated.

7. The cable according to claim 1, wherein between the first connector
and the second connector, electrical wires configured to electrically
connect the first connector and the second connector to each other are
provided, and the electrical wires are connected to control signal lines,
a power supply line, and a grounding line which are connected to
electrical terminals provided in each of the first and second connectors.

8. An optical wiring cable configured to convert an electrical signal
into an optical signal, and transmit the converted optical signal,
comprising: a single or a plurality of first optical interconnection
paths configured to transmit an optical signal in a first direction; a
first optical transmission unit incorporated in a first connector, and
configured to transmit an optical signal to the first optical
interconnection paths; a first optical reception unit incorporated in a
second connector, and configured to receive an optical signal from the
first optical interconnection paths; a single or a plurality of second
optical interconnection paths configured to transmit an optical signal in
a direction reverse to the first direction; a second optical transmission
unit incorporated in the second connector, and configured to transmit an
optical signal to the second optical interconnection paths; a second
optical reception unit incorporated in the first connector, and
configured to receive an optical signal from the second optical
interconnection paths; and a control unit configured to detect a
combination of electronic apparatuses to which the first connector and
the second connector are to be connected, and control power supply to the
first and second optical transmission units, and the first and second
optical reception units in accordance with the detected combination,
wherein when the combination corresponds to one of two operation modes
including a first operation mode which is signal transmission from the
first connector to the second connector, and a second operation mode
which is signal transmission from the second connector to the first
connector, the control unit carries out power supply to units which are
included among the first optical transmission unit, the first optical
reception unit, the second optical transmission unit, and the second
optical reception unit and which correspond to the operation mode, and
stops power supply to remaining units, and when the combination
corresponds to none of the two operation modes, the control unit stops
power supply to the first optical transmission unit, the first optical
reception unit, the second optical transmission unit, and the second
optical reception unit.

9. The cable according to claim 8, wherein in the first connector, first
electrical input/output terminals which are shared by the first optical
transmission unit and the second optical reception unit as electrical
input terminals and electrical output terminals, respectively are
provided, and in the second connector, second electrical input/output
terminals which are shared by the first optical reception unit and the
second optical transmission unit as electrical output terminals and
electrical input terminals, respectively are provided.

10. The cable according to claim 9, wherein the control unit comprises,
in the first connector, a first detection circuit configured to detect
the type of an electronic apparatus connected to the first electrical
input/output terminals, and a first switch circuit configured to
selectively supply power to the first optical transmission unit or the
second optical reception unit, and further comprises, in the second
connector, a second detection circuit configured to detect the type of an
electronic apparatus connected to the second electrical input/output
terminals, and a second switch circuit configured to selectively supply
power to the first optical reception unit or the second optical
transmission unit.

11. The cable according to claim 10, wherein when it is detected by the
first detection circuit that the first connector has been connected to a
signal transmission apparatus and, when it is further detected by the
second detection circuit that the second connector has been connected to
a signal reception apparatus, power is supplied to the first optical
transmission unit by the first switch circuit, and power is supplied to
the first optical reception unit by the second switch circuit, and when
it is detected by the first detection circuit that the first connector
has been connected to a signal reception apparatus and, when it is
further detected by the second detection circuit that the second
connector has been connected to a signal transmission apparatus, power is
supplied to the second optical reception unit by the first switch
circuit, and power is supplied to the second optical transmission unit by
the second switch circuit.

12. The cable according to claim 10, wherein when a combination of
results of detection carried out by the detection circuits corresponds to
the first operation mode, the first and second switch circuits are
operated to carry out power supply to the first optical transmission unit
and the first optical reception unit, and stop power supply to the second
optical transmission unit and the second optical reception unit, when the
combination of results of detection carried out by the detection circuits
corresponds to the second operation mode, the first and second switch
circuits are operated to carry out power supply to the second optical
transmission unit and the second optical reception unit, and stop power
supply to the first optical transmission unit and the first optical
reception unit, and when the combination of results of detection carried
out by the detection circuits corresponds to none of the first and second
operation modes, all the power supply to be carried out by the first and
second switch circuits is stopped.

13. The cable according to claim 8, wherein in the first connector, first
electrical input/output terminals which are shared by the first optical
transmission unit and the second optical reception unit as electrical
input terminals and electrical output terminals, respectively are
provided, and in the second connector, second electrical input/output
terminals which are shared by the first optical reception unit and the
second optical transmission unit as electrical output terminals and
electrical input terminals, respectively are provided, the control unit
comprises, in the first connector, a first detection circuit configured
to detect the type of an electronic apparatus connected to the first
electrical input/output terminals, and a first power supply circuit
configured to selectively supply power to the first optical transmission
unit or the second optical reception unit, and further comprises, in the
second connector, a second detection circuit configured to detect the
type of an electronic apparatus connected to the second electrical
input/output terminals, and a second power supply circuit configured to
selectively supply power to the first optical reception unit or the
second optical transmission unit, when a combination of results of
detection carried out by the detection circuits corresponds to the first
operation mode, the first and second power supply circuits are operated
to carry out power supply to the first optical transmission unit and the
first optical reception unit, and stop power supply to the second optical
transmission unit and the second optical reception unit, when the
combination of results of detection carried out by the detection circuits
corresponds to the second operation mode, the first and second power
supply circuits are operated to carry out power supply to the second
optical transmission unit and the second optical reception unit, and stop
power supply to the first optical transmission unit and the first optical
reception unit, and when the combination of results of detection carried
out by the detection circuits corresponds to none of the first and second
operation modes, the first and second power supply circuits are stopped.

14. The cable according to claim 8, wherein between the first connector
and the second connector, electrical wires configured to electrically
connect the first connector and the second connector to each other are
provided, and the electrical wires are connected to control signal lines,
a power supply line, and a grounding line which are connected to
electrical terminals provided in each of the first and second connectors.

15. The cable according to claim 8, wherein the number of the first
optical interconnection path is one, and the numbers of the first optical
transmission units and the first optical reception units are plural, and
the number of the second optical interconnection path is one, and the
numbers of the second optical transmission units and the second optical
reception units are plural.

16. The cable according to claim 15, wherein one optical interconnection
path is shared by the first optical interconnection path and the second
optical interconnection path by providing a directional coupler on each
of the first connector side and the second connector side.

17. An optical wiring cable configured to convert an electrical signal
into an optical signal, and transmit the converted optical signal,
comprising: a plurality of first optical interconnection paths configured
to transmit an optical signal in a first direction; a first optical
transmission unit incorporated in a first connector, and configured to
transmit an optical signal to the first optical interconnection paths; a
first optical reception unit incorporated in a second connector, and
configured to receive an optical signal from the first optical
interconnection paths; a plurality of second optical interconnection
paths configured to transmit an optical signal in a direction reverse to
the first direction; a second optical transmission unit incorporated in
the second connector, and configured to transmit an optical signal to the
second optical interconnection paths; a second optical reception unit
incorporated in the first connector, and configured to receive an optical
signal from the second optical interconnection paths; and a control unit
configured to detect a combination of electronic apparatuses to which the
first connector and the second connector are to be connected, and control
power supply to the optical transmission units, and the optical reception
units in accordance with the detected combination, wherein when the
combination corresponds to a first operation mode which is signal
transmission from the first connector to the second connector, the
control unit transmits a control signal by means of the first optical
interconnection paths together with a data signal, and transmits a
control signal by means of part of the second optical interconnection
paths, when the combination corresponds to a second operation mode which
is signal transmission from the second connector to the first connector,
the control unit transmits a control signal by means of the second
optical interconnection paths together with a data signal, and transmits
a control signal by means of part of the first optical interconnection
paths, and when the combination corresponds to none of the first and
second operation modes, the control unit stops the power supply to the
first optical transmission unit, the first optical reception unit, the
second optical transmission unit, and the second optical reception unit.

18. The cable according to claim 17, wherein in the first connector,
first electrical input/output terminals which are shared by the first
optical transmission unit and the second optical reception unit as
electrical input terminals and electrical output terminals, respectively
are provided, and in the second connector, second electrical input/output
terminals which are shared by the first optical reception unit and the
second optical transmission unit as electrical output terminals and
electrical input terminals, respectively are provided.

19. The cable according to claim 17, wherein the number of the first
optical interconnection path is one, and the numbers of the first optical
transmission units and the first optical reception units are plural, and
the number of the second optical interconnection path is one, and the
numbers of the second optical transmission units and the second optical
reception units are plural.

20. The cable according to claim 17, wherein one optical interconnection
path is shared by the first optical interconnection path and the second
optical interconnection path by providing a directional coupler on each
of the first connector side and the second connector side.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288322, filed Dec. 18, 2009;
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an optical wiring
cable configured to convert an electrical signal into an optical signal,
and transmit the converted optical signal.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, owing to the improvement of electronic devices
such as bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors, and the like in
the performance, tremendous progress of large-scale integration (LSI) in
the working speed has been attempted. Concomitantly with this, a speed
limit of an electrical wire connecting between LSIs, and electromagnetic
noise malfunction have now become problematic. Particularly, the above
problem is now being actualized by the high definition of the display
device, and enlargement of the video data.

[0004] In order to cope with such a wiring problem, some of optical wiring
apparatuses configured to carry out signal transmission by using light
are proposed. Further, in carrying out optical wiring, for the purpose of
facilitating control communication between the light transmission side
and light reception side or power source wiring, an optical wiring cable
which is just like a composite of the optical wiring and electrical wire
is also proposed (for example, JP-A 2004-179733 (KOKAI)).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a first embodiment.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a second embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the specific configuration
of an optical transmission/reception unit used in the second embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an operation mode in the second
embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a third embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the specific configuration
of an optical transmission/reception unit used in the third embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a fourth embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a fifth embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a sixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] According to this embodiment, an optical wiring cable configured to
convert an electrical signal into an optical signal, and transmit the
converted optical signal, comprises a first optical interconnection path
configured to transmit an optical signal in a first direction, a first
optical transmission unit incorporated in a first connector, and
configured to transmit an optical signal to the first optical
interconnection path, a first optical reception unit incorporated in a
second connector, and configured to receive an optical signal from the
first optical interconnection path, a second optical interconnection path
configured to transmit an optical signal in a direction reverse to the
first direction, a second optical transmission unit incorporated in the
second connector, and configured to transmit an optical signal to the
second optical interconnection path, a second optical reception unit
incorporated in the first connector, and configured to receive an optical
signal from the second optical interconnection path, and a control unit
configured to detect a combination of electronic apparatuses to which the
first connector and the second connector are to be connected, and control
power supply to the optical transmission units and the optical reception
units in accordance with the detected combination.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described
below while referring to the drawings. Here, although a description will
be given by taking some specific configurations as examples, a
configuration having the same function can be implemented in the same
manner, and the present invention is not to be limited to the following
embodiments.

[0016] In the optical wiring, transmission is generally the simplex
transmission with the exception of some low-speed half-duplex link, and
expensive wavelength multiplexing link. Further, in the optical wiring in
which an optical interface (optical transmission unit, optical reception
unit) is incorporated in the cable, and the input/output is constituted
of an electrical connector, there is the problem that although the
input/output unit is an electrical connector, if the transmission side
and the reception side are subjected to reverse insertion, signal
transmission incapability is caused. Further, in the data transmission
using the optical wiring, each of the transmission side and reception
side requires a power source for the optical interface. If no control is
carried out for the power source, there is also the problem that useless
power is consumed even at the non-operating time, and the life of the
active element in the optical interface is shortened more than necessary.
In the following embodiments, these problems will be solved.

First Embodiment

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a first embodiment.

[0018] This device is constituted of a first connector 10, second
connector 20, and optoelectronic interconnection 30 connecting these
connectors 10 and 20 to each other.

[0019] The optoelectronic interconnection 30 includes a plurality of first
optical interconnection paths 31 configured to transmit an optical signal
from the first connector 10 to the second connector 20, a plurality of
second optical interconnection paths 32 configured to transmit an optical
signal from the second connector 20 to the first connector 10, and
electrical wires 33 configured to electrically connect the first and
second connectors 10 and 20 to each other. Each of the optical
interconnection paths 31 and 32 is constituted of an optical fiber,
optical waveguide or the like.

[0020] In the first connector 10, an optical transmission unit (first
optical transmission unit) 11 configured to transmit an optical signal to
the first optical interconnection paths 31, and optical reception unit
(second optical reception unit) 12 configured to receive an optical
signal from the second optical interconnection paths 32 are incorporated.

[0021] The optical transmission unit 11 is provided with light-emitting
elements 13 such as semiconductor lasers each configured to convert an
electrical signal into an optical signal. Furthermore, on the optical
transmission unit 11 side, an optical link control unit 15 configured to
detect a state of connection of an electronic apparatus to the optical
transmission unit 11, and switch 17 configured to turn on/off supply of
power to the optical transmission unit 11 by the control of the control
unit 15 are provided. The optical reception unit 12 is provided with
light receiving elements 14 such as PIN photodiodes each configured to
convert an optical signal into an electrical signal. Furthermore, on the
optical reception unit 12 side, an optical link control unit 16
configured to detect a state of connection of an electronic apparatus to
the optical reception unit 12, and switch 18 configured to turn on/off
supply of the power to the optical reception unit 12 by the control of
the control unit 16 are provided.

[0022] An optical reception unit 21 is provided with light receiving
elements 23 such as PIN photodiodes. Furthermore, on the optical
reception unit 21 side, an optical link control unit 25 configured to
detect a state of connection of an electronic apparatus to the optical
reception unit 21, and switch 27 configured to turn on/off supply of the
power to the optical reception unit 21 by the control of the control unit
25 are provided. An optical transmission unit 22 is provided with
light-emitting elements 24 such as semiconductor lasers. Furthermore, on
the optical transmission unit 22 side, an optical link control unit 26
configured to detect a state of connection of an electronic apparatus to
the optical transmission unit 22, and switch 28 configured to turn on/off
supply of the power to the optical transmission unit 22 by the control of
the control unit 26 are provided.

[0024] The optical link control units 15, 16, 25, and 26 are each
connected to part of the control signal lines 43, power supply line 44,
and grounding line 45. Each of the optical link control units 15, 16, 25,
and 26 is configured to carry out detection of fitting of the optical
wiring cable itself to a corresponding apparatus, a type (data
transmission apparatus or data reception apparatus) of the apparatus to
which the optical wiring cable is fitted, and power-on-state of the
apparatus to which the cable is fitted. Further, each of the optical link
control units 15, 16, 25, and 26 is configured to control each of the
switches 17, 18, 28, and 28 in accordance with the operation mode in
which the detection is carried out.

[0025] Next, an operation of this device configured as described above
will be described below.

[0026] First, each of the optical link control units 15, 16, 25, and 26
carries out detection of fitting of the optical wiring cable itself to a
corresponding apparatus, and a type (data transmission apparatus or data
reception apparatus) of the apparatus to which the optical wiring cable
is fitted by means of the electrical wires (control signal lines 43,
power supply line 44, and grounding line 45). It should be noted that
even when the apparatus is connected to the optical wiring cable, if the
power of the connected apparatus is in the off-state, the apparatus is
regarded as being not connected.

[0027] As a result of this, when it is detected that the electrical input
terminals of the optical transmission unit 11 are connected to the data
transmission apparatus, and electrical output terminals of the optical
reception unit 21 are connected to the data reception apparatus, the
switches 17 and 27 are turned on (first operation mode). When it is
detected that the electrical input terminals of the optical transmission
unit 22 are connected to the data transmission apparatus, and electrical
output terminals of the optical reception unit 12 are connected to the
data reception apparatus, the switches 18 and 28 are turned on (second
operation mode). Further, when it is detected that the electrical input
terminals of the optical transmission unit 11 are connected to the data
transmission apparatus, electrical output terminals of the optical
reception unit 21 are connected to the data reception apparatus, the
electrical input terminals of the optical transmission unit 22 are
connected to the data transmission apparatus, and electrical output
terminals of the optical reception unit 12 are connected to the data
reception apparatus, all the switches 17, 18, 27, and 28 are turned on
(third operation mode).

[0028] On the other hand, when the optical wiring cable itself is not
fitted to the corresponding apparatus or the detection result of the
apparatus to which the cable is to be fitted is other than the above
combinations, all the switches 17, 18, 27, and 28 are left turned off.

[0029] In general, a connection destination of the optical transmission
unit 11, optical reception unit 21, optical reception unit 12, and
optical transmission unit 22 can be specified by the mechanical shape of
the connectors 10 and 20. Accordingly, it is detected whether or not the
connectors 10 and 20 are connected on the basis of the combination of the
data transmission apparatus and data reception apparatus (or the opposite
of this). Thereafter, it is sufficient when the fitting destination is
the data transmission apparatus, if the power switch of the optical
transmission unit side is turned on, and when the fitting destination is
the data reception apparatus, if the power switch of the optical
reception unit side is turned on.

[0030] As described previously, detection of the connection destinations
of all the connection terminals can be used when it is determined whether
or not the apparatus to which the cable is to be fitted is an apparatus
capable of carrying out bidirectional transmission or when it is
determined whether or not the bidirectional transmission is to be carried
out.

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a situation in
which data transmission is not necessary, for example, when nothing is
connected to one end of an optical wiring cable or when
transmission-dedicated apparatuses (or reception-dedicated apparatuses)
are connected to each other by mistake, it is possible to stop power
supply to the units 11, 12, 21, and 22. That is, when the operation of
the signal transmission link is not necessary, it is possible to prevent
the optical link (optical transmission unit and optical reception unit)
from being brought into the operating state. This makes it possible to
prevent power from being uselessly consumed, and to prevent the life of
the optical wiring cable from being uselessly shortened by the operation
of the active elements (light-emitting elements and light receiving
elements) at the non-operating time. That is, it is possible to cope with
reverse connection, and bidirectional transmission, prevent power from
being uselessly consumed, and prevent the life of the optical interface
from being shortened more than necessary.

[0032] It should be noted that regarding the detection of fitting of the
optical wiring cable itself to the corresponding apparatus, a function of
determining improper connection such as a case where the cable is
connected to data transmission apparatuses or data reception apparatuses,
and carrying out any alarm display may be added thereto.

[0033] Further, like in this embodiment, when the electrical terminals of
each of the optical transmission unit 11, and optical reception unit 12
are provided independently of each other in the connector 10, the
connector 10 is generally connected to one transmission/reception
apparatus. Accordingly, it is necessary that the arrangement relationship
between the input terminals and output terminals of the
transmission/reception apparatus to which the connector 10 is to be
connected should coincide with the terminal arrangement of the connector
10. In this case, if the connector shape is contrived to cope with such a
situation, the electrical input terminals of the optical transmission
unit 11 are always connected to the output terminals of the
transmission/reception apparatus, and output terminals of the optical
reception unit 12 are always connected to the input terminals of the
transmission/reception apparatus. Furthermore, it becomes possible to
select any one of the connector 10 and connector 20 with respect to
connection to an arbitrary transmission/reception apparatus, and it
becomes also possible to cope with the so-called reverse connection.

[0034] That is, the optical link control units 15 and 16 do not
necessarily detect the type of the electronic apparatus, and it becomes
sufficient for the units 15 and 16 to detect whether or not an electronic
apparatus is connected. The same is true of the connector 20.
Accordingly, in this case, when connection of the transmission/reception
apparatus is detected at each of connectors 10 and 20 by each of the
optical link control units 15, 16, 25, and 26, and turning on of the
power of each apparatus is detected, all the switches 17, 18, 27, and 28
may be turned on, and in the case other than the above, all the switches
may be turned off.

Second Embodiment

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according a second embodiment. It should be noted that the
same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference symbols
as those in FIG. 1, and a detailed description of them will be omitted.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the specific configuration
of an optical transmission/reception unit 100 on the connector 10 side.
The optical transmission/reception unit 100 includes an optical
transmission unit 11, optical reception unit 12, and switches 17 and 18
all of which are described in the first embodiment, and is connected to
electrical input/output terminals 47 that are shared by the optical
transmission unit 11, and optical reception unit 12 as electrical input
terminals, and electrical output terminals, respectively. Further, an
optical link control unit 19 configured to detect connection, type, and
the like of an electronic apparatus to be connected to the electrical
input/output terminals 47, and on/off-control the switches 17 and 18 is
provided. It should be noted that the optical transmission/reception unit
200 on the connector 20 side has substantially the same configuration as
the above optical transmission/reception unit 100 except that the
positional relationship between the optical transmission unit and optical
reception unit is reversed.

[0038] In this embodiment, it is premised that bidirectional transmission
is not carried out, and hence it is possible to use the high-speed lines
for carrying out the optical wiring for both transmission and reception,
and it is also possible to reduce the number of terminals of the
connector, and contribute to the size reduction of the connector and cost
reduction. Instead, it is necessary to add a function of determining the
type of an apparatus to which the connector 10 or 20 is connected, and
turning off the power of one of the optical transmission unit and optical
reception unit that becomes unnecessary to each of the optical
transmission/reception units 100 and 200. For example, when the
electrical input/output terminals 47 are connected to the data
transmission apparatus on the connector 10 side, the power of the optical
transmission unit 11 is turned on, and power of the optical reception
unit 12 is turned off. However, when the electrical input/output
terminals 57 on the connector 20 side are also connected to the data
transmission apparatus side, the connection is improper connection, and
hence the power of each of optical transmission unit 11, and optical
reception unit 12 is turned off. This operation also applies to the
connector 20 side.

[0039] Operation modes based on the types of the electronic apparatuses to
which the connector 10 or 20 is connected are as shown in FIG. 4. Here,
"T" is a state where a data transmission apparatus is connected to the
connector, "R" is a state where a data reception apparatus is connected
to the connector, and "--" is a state where nothing is connected to the
connector.

[0040] In the first operation mode in which the data transmission
apparatus is connected to the electrical input/output terminals 47 of the
connector 10, and data reception apparatus is connected to the electrical
input/output terminals 57 of the connector 20, power is supplied to the
optical transmission unit 11 of the optical transmission/reception unit
100 of the connector 10, and power supplied to the optical reception unit
21 of the optical transmission/reception unit 200 of the connector 20.
For example, in the connector 10, the switch 17 shown in FIG. 3 is turned
on, and switch 18 is turned off.

[0041] In the second operation mode in which the data reception apparatus
is connected to the connector 10, and data transmission apparatus is
connected to the connector 20, power is supplied to the optical reception
unit 12 of the optical transmission/reception unit 100 of the connector
10, and power is supplied to the optical transmission unit 22 of the
optical transmission/reception unit 200 of the connector 20. For example,
in the connector 10, the switch 17 of FIG. 3 is turned off, and switch 18
is turned on.

[0042] In the modes other than the above, power supply to the optical
transmission unit 11, and optical reception unit 12 of the optical
transmission/reception unit 100 of the connector 10 is stopped, and power
supply to the optical reception unit 21, and optical transmission unit 22
of the optical transmission/reception unit 200 of the connector 20 is
stopped. For example, in the connector 10, both the switches 17 and 18 of
FIG. 3 are turned off.

[0043] Owing to the configuration described above, power supply to the
unnecessary optical transmission unit, and optical reception unit is not
carried out, and hence it is possible to prevent useless power
consumption, and useless deterioration of the optical wiring cable.

[0044] Further, in this embodiment, although simultaneous bidirectional
transmission cannot be carried out, the bidirectional transmission is
enabled if it is not carried out simultaneously. More specifically, when
a data transmission apparatus and data reception apparatus cooperate to
exchange their functions of transmission and reception with each other,
i.e., when the data transmission apparatus temporarily becomes a data
reception apparatus, and data reception apparatus temporarily becomes a
data transmission apparatus, data transmission in the reverse direction
is enabled. That is, so-called half-duplex transmission is enabled.

Third Embodiment

[0045] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a third embodiment. It should be noted that the
same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference symbols
as FIG. 2, and a detailed description of them will be omitted. This
embodiment is an example premised on the case where simultaneous
bidirectional transmission is not carried out as in the second
embodiment.

[0046] This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that control
signal lines 43 are not connected between the connector 10 and connector
20 by electrical wires 33, but are data-superposed on an optical signal
to be transmitted by the optical interconnection paths 31 and 32.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the specific configuration
of an optical transmission/reception unit 100 of FIG. 5. The optical
transmission/reception unit 100 includes optical transmission units 11
(11a to 11d), optical reception units 12 (12a to 12d), and switches 17
(17a to 17d), and 18 (18a to 18d), and is connected to electrical
input/output terminals 47 that are shared by the optical transmission
units, and optical reception units as electrical input terminals, and
electrical output terminals, respectively. Further, an optical link
control unit 19 configured to detect the connection, type, and the like
of an electronic apparatus to be connected to the electrical input/output
terminals 47, and on/off-control the switches 17 and 18 is provided.

[0048] As described above, a switch 17 is independently provided in each
optical transmission unit 11, and a switch 18 is independently provided
in each optical reception unit 12. Further, the switches 17 and 18
corresponding to each other are not simultaneously turned on, and only
one of them can be turned on. For example, the switches 17a and 18a are
not simultaneously turned on, and one of turning on of the switch 17a
only, turning on of the switch 18a only, and turning off of both the
switches 17a and 18a can be selected. It should be noted that the optical
transmission/reception unit 200 has substantially the same configuration
as the above optical transmission/reception unit 100 except that the
positional relationship between the optical transmission units and
optical reception units is reversed.

[0049] In general, the control signal has a lower speed than the data
signal such as an image signal and, even when the control signal is
superposed on the data signal, the transmission capacity is not
significantly increased. Further, in this embodiment, the optical
interconnection paths in the direction reverse to the transmission
direction of data can be made inactive, and hence it is possible to carry
out bidirectional transmission of a control signal by using part of them.

[0050] Thus, in each of the optical transmission/reception units 100 and
200, on the data signal from the high-speed signal lines 40 or 50, a
control signal from the control lines 43 in the same direction is
superposed and is optically transmitted, and a control signal from the
control signal lines 43 in the direction reverse to the data signal is
optically transmitted by using optical interconnection paths which are
not transmitting a data signal. However, when the control signal in the
reverse direction is to be transmitted, it is necessary to temporarily
stop the high-speed signal lines of the corresponding optical
transmission unit, and optical reception unit. This is carried out in
order to prevent the high-speed signal from forming a loop in the paths
31 and 32, and making a circuit to cause oscillation. In general, the
control signal lines 43 carry out only one of transmission and reception
of a control signal, and carry out half-duplex bidirectional transmission
in which simultaneous communication is not carried out, whereby it is
possible to realize control signal transmission by the unidirectional
optical transmission described above.

[0051] At this time, a signal from the control signal line 43 in the
direction reverse to the data signal generally does not require large
transmission capacity. Accordingly, when there are a plurality of optical
interconnection paths as in the case of FIG. 5, it is sufficient if
optical wiring is carried out by using only one of the paths, and supply
of power to the remaining optical interconnection paths is stopped.
Further, in this case, in order that the degree of deterioration of the
optical interconnection paths may not become uneven, the optical
interconnection path for transmitting the control signal may be
periodically switched without transmitting the control signal by always
using the same optical interconnection path.

[0052] For example, when it is detected that the data transmission
apparatus is connected to the electrical input/output terminals 47 of the
connector 10 side, and data reception apparatus is connected to the
electrical input/output terminals 57 of the connector 20 side, in FIG. 6,
one (17d) of the switches 17 is turned off, the remaining switches (17a
to 17c) are turned on, one (18d) of the switches 18 is turned on, and the
remaining switches (18a to 18c) are turned off. That is, power is
supplied to optical transmission units (11a to 11c) other than one of the
optical transmission units 11, and to one (12d) of the optical reception
units 12. Likewise, on the connector 20 side too, power is supplied to
optical reception units other than one of the optical reception units 22,
and to one of the optical transmission units 21.

[0053] As a result of this, it possible transmit a control signal input
from the control signal line 43 to the optical interconnection paths 31
by the optical transmission units 11a to 11c together with a data signal
input to the electrical input/output terminal 47. Further, when the
control signal is in the reverse direction, it is possible to transmit
the control signal of the connector 20 side to the connector 10 side by
using part of the optical interconnection paths 32, and detect the
transmitted control signal at the optical reception unit 12d.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, power is not
supplied to the unnecessary optical transmission units and optical
reception units, it becomes possible to prevent useless power
consumption, and useless deterioration of the optical wiring cable, and
it becomes also possible to realize cost reduction achieved by reducing
the number of control lines, and reduction in the diameter of the optical
wiring cable. Furthermore, even when there is the characteristic
depending on the cable length of the control line, e.g., the resistance
value limitation or capacity value limitation of the control line, the
advantage that the length limitation of the optical wiring cable is
largely reduced, and cable length limitation is substantially eliminated
is obtained.

[0055] It should be noted that in this embodiment too, by leaving the
power supply line 44, and grounding line 45 as they are, it becomes
possible to supply necessary power from the one connector to both the
connectors. As a result of this, even when one of the apparatuses to be
connected has small power capacity, it is possible to stably operate the
optical wiring cable.

Fourth Embodiment

[0056] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a fourth embodiment. It should be noted that
the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference
symbols as those in FIG. 5, and a detailed description of them will be
omitted. This embodiment is an example premised on the case where
simultaneous bidirectional transmission is not carried out as in the
second embodiment and third embodiment.

[0057] This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that signals
from the high-speed signal lines 40 and 50 are unified into one signal,
and optical wiring is carried out by only a single path. That is, one
optical interconnection path 31 from the connector 10 side to the
connector 20 side, and one optical interconnection path 32 from the
connector 20 side to the connector 20 side are used.

[0058] In this case, the transmission capacity of the optical wiring is
increased to three to four times the capacity of the case of FIG. 5.
However, for example, the amount of the reproduced image signal of the
digital terrestrial broadcasting broadcast in Japan is about 10 Gbps
including the RBG signal and clock signal, and hence is a transmission
quantity which the optical transmission can sufficiently cope with.
Accordingly, in the case of such a use, it is possible to use one optical
interconnection path, and carry out optical wiring by unifying the
high-speed line signal and control signal into one signal.

[0059] Needless to say, regarding the power source control in the case
where the optical reception unit becomes unnecessary, it is sufficient if
it is carried out in the manner shown in the second embodiment. That is,
in the case of improper connection or the off-state of the power, by not
carrying out power supply to unnecessary optical transmission unit and
optical reception unit, it is possible to prevent useless power
consumption, and useless deterioration of the optical wiring cable, this
being identical with the previous embodiments. Besides, it becomes also
possible to realize cost reduction achieved by reducing the number of
control lines and amount of optical wiring, and reduction in the diameter
of the optical wiring cable. Furthermore, even when there is the
characteristic depending on the cable length of the control line, the
advantage that the length limitation of the optical wiring cable is
largely reduced, and cable length limitation is substantially eliminated
is obtained.

Fifth Embodiment

[0060] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a fifth embodiment. It should be noted that the
same parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference symbols
as those in FIG. 7, and a detailed description of them will be omitted.

[0061] In this embodiment, the electrical wires 33 between the connectors
10 and 20 are omitted from the configuration of the fourth embodiment.
That is, although a power supply line 44, and grounding line 45 are
connected to the connector 10, they are not extended to the part between
the connectors 10 and 20. A power supply line, and grounding line from
another connection apparatus are connected to the connector 20.

[0062] With such a configuration, although it is possible to supply power
to an optical transmission/reception unit 100 in the connector 10 by
using, for example, the power supply from an electronic apparatus
connected to the connector 10 side, it is not possible to supply power to
an optical transmission/reception unit 200 in the connector 20. However,
the wiring 60 between the connectors 10 and 20 is constituted only of the
optical interconnection paths 31 and 32, and it is possible to simplify
the configuration of the cable part.

Sixth Embodiment

[0063] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical
wiring cable according to a sixth embodiment. It should be noted that the
same parts as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference symbols
as those in FIG. 8, and a detailed description of them will be omitted.

[0064] In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the fifth
embodiment, the optical interconnection paths 31 and 32 are unified into
one optical interconnection path 61. When this embodiment is premised on
the case where bidirectional transmission is not simultaneously carried
out, it is possible to manage with only one optical interconnection path
by using a directional coupler 62 or 63 in each of the connectors 10 and
20.

[0065] With such a configuration, the same advantage as the fifth
embodiment described above can be obtained as a matter of course, and it
becomes possible to further simplify the cable part.

Modification Example

[0066] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above. For example, although the above-mentioned
embodiments show some specific examples, these are only the configuration
examples, and other means (circuit, structure, device configuration, and
the like) may be used for each individual element in accordance with the
spirit of the present invention. Further, the configurations shown in the
embodiments are only examples, and the embodiments may be combined with
each other to be implemented.

[0067] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments
have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit
the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described
herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments
described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the
inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to
cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the inventions.